Asura marriage

Asura marriage (Hindi: असुर विवाह) has been defined in Manu Smriti in section IV - Eight types of marriage (Verse 3.31)^[1]

Jñātibhyo draviṇaṃ dattvā kanyāyai caiva śaktitaḥ |

kanyāpradānaṃ svācchandyādāsuro dharma ucyate ||

Sanskrit:

ज्ञातिभ्यो द्रविणं दत्त्वा कन्यायै चैव शक्तितः।

कन्याप्रदानं स्वाच्छन्द्यादासुरो धर्म उच्यते॥

When a man (groom) carries away a woman (bride or maiden) after giving wealth as may be sought by her father on the plea to recover the money spent on her upbringing, it is called Asura marriage. Among eight types of marriages defined in Hinduism, as specifically mentioned in Manu Smriti (Verse 3.21)), namely (1) Brahma (Hindi: ब्रह्म), (2) Daiva (Hindi: दैव), (3) Arsha (Hindi: अर्श), (4) Prajapatya (Hindi: प्राजापत्य), (5) Asura (Hindi: असुर), (6) Gandharva (Hindi: गन्धर्व), (7) Rakshasa (Hindi: राक्षस), and (8) Paishacha (Hindi: पैशाच), this is recommended for Vaishyas and Shudra among four varnas of the Hindu social order in Hinduism. This form of marriage is not recommended for Brahmin and Kshatriya and as such considered as unlawful. Typically, it depends on will and desire of man and his wealth but irrespective of willingness of bride.

This type of marriage literally amounts to purchasing the bride by a paying a price to her kinsmen. By taking undue advantage of this type a marriage, a rich but incompetent man can have as many wives but poor and competent man may not be able to afford the money to be paid. For such reasons, this type of marriage is not considered as dignified but viewed as lowly.  

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